“I’ve been in end-of-life situations where the relatives brought in margaritas and we had a beach party for somebody who was dying because that’s what he always wanted.” Critical care and palliative care physician Dr. James Downar talks about the importance of communication in palliative care.

“Will you look after me? I’m sick and it’s too far.” Dr. Sandy Buchman, physician at the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, lays out the principles of good palliative care, and the top 7 things physicians, patients and their families should know that they probably don’t.

This 2013 CIHI report found that more than 25,000 people died in hospital from cancer in 2011–2012, representing 45% of all estimated cancer deaths that year. However, only 11% were admitted to the ICU in their final two weeks of life, and only 8% died there. Additionally, very few (3%) patients received inpatient chemotherapy treatment—typically considered a life-saving treatment—within their final 14 days.

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association is the national voice for Hospice Palliative Care in Canada. Advancing and advocating for quality end-of-life/hospice palliative care in Canada, its work includes public policy, public education and awareness.